DE102008025169B4 - filter module - Google Patents

Abstract

Filter module coupling with two filter modules for cleaning liquids, wherein a first filter module comprises: a housing (10); an ultrasonic source (20); a liquid inlet (12) on the housing (10); a first outlet (14) for liquid on the housing (10); a filter (18); and a second filtered liquid outlet (16) on the housing (10); wherein the ultrasonic source (20) is disposed on a first side of the filter (18) such that ultrasound is applied to that first side of the filter (18); wherein the first outlet (14) is disposed on the first side of the filter (18); and wherein the second filtered liquid outlet (16) is disposed on a second side of the filter (18); and a second filter module having an outlet for providing filtered liquid; wherein the first filter module (100) is coupled to the second filter module such that filtered liquid from the outlet of the second filter module for backwashing the first filter module (100) via the second outlet of the first filter module into the housing of the first filter module in and over first outlet can be delivered.

Description

The invention relates to a filter module and a method for cleaning liquids that ensure high performance.

Typically, filter modules must be regularly maintained and cleaned to change the actual filter and / or to remove filtration residues from the filter module and to remove deposits on coming into contact with the liquid to be cleaned surfaces.

As a result, it comes at regular intervals or failure due to downtime. Continuous operation is therefore usually not possible.

With increasing contamination of the filter module, in particular with a filter element to be added decreases between two maintenance / cleaning and the performance in terms of volume flow through the filter module. Reliable compliance with a desired performance is thus possible only with great effort.

From the US 2003/0209500 A1 a filter module for cleaning liquids is known, wherein an ultrasonic source 36 . 151 is used to apply a filter membrane with ultrasound and thus to avoid clogging of the filter.

From the DE 43 11 297 A1 are known regenerable separation elements, as well as their use and suitable housing.

From the EP 19 03 009 A1 a device and a method for treating ballast water, in particular for filtering ballast water is known.

An object of the present invention is thus to provide an improved filter module and a method for cleaning, in particular for the filtration of liquids, which enables a reliable, durable and flexible cleaning of liquids.

This object is achieved by the feature combination according to claim 1 and the feature combination according to claim 19. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a filter module coupling with two filter modules is provided.

The first filter module for cleaning liquids comprises a housing, an ultrasound source for delivering ultrasound into the interior (s) of the housing, an inlet to the housing for the liquid to be cleaned, a first outlet to the housing for liquid, a filter (located in the housing) and a second outlet on the filtered fluid housing. The ultrasonic source and the first outlet are disposed on a first side of the filter and the second filtered liquid outlet is disposed on a second side of the filter.

The first side of the filter, on which the inlet is also located, is thus the side of the filter which comes into contact with unfiltered liquid, ie the side on which the substances filtered out of the liquid remain ("dirty" side). The second side of the filter, on the other hand, is the side in contact with the filtered liquid, ie the "clean" side of the filter.

The liquid to be cleaned which flows into the housing of the filter module via the inlet can therefore flow out again unfiltered via the first outlet from the filter module, without passing through the filter. Likewise, the liquid to be purified flowing in via the inlet can pass through the filter and leave the filter module filtered via the second outlet.

In the filter module, liquid flowing in through the inlet can also be exposed to the ultrasound of the ultrasound source (arranged in the housing). This contributes to the cleaning of the liquid due to caused by the ultrasound in the liquid cavitation (deagglomeration and dispersion).

The ultrasonic source arranged upstream of the filter and thus on its "dirty" side is furthermore arranged relative to the filter in such a way that this first, "dirty" side of the filter is subjected to ultrasound. As a result, the filter is freed from impurities and deposits due to the cavitation mentioned above or kept pure, so that a high volume flow through the filter and thus ensured by the filter module.

An advantage of this filter module coupling is therefore that liquid in the filter module can be subjected to an ultrasonic treatment or an ultrasonic treatment in connection with a subsequent filtration. In the former case, the liquid flows via the inlet into the interior of the housing, past the ultrasound source and then unfiltered via the first outlet but cavitated / dispersed due to the ultrasound effect. In the latter case, the liquid flows via the inlet into the interior of the housing, past the ultrasonic source, then passes through the filter and then flows through the first outlet filtered and due the ultrasonic effect kavitiert / dispersed again. This achieves a high flexibility of the filter module and a constant performance.

Another advantage of this filter module coupling is that clogging of the filter is prevented or at least significantly reduced. Thus, a reliable (continuous) operation of the filter module with a high performance is possible.

Preferably, the housing has an elongated shape. Particularly preferably, the filter surrounds the ultrasound source, whereby a better exposure of the "dirty" filter side is ensured with ultrasound.

Preferably, the inlet of the filter module comprises an inlet valve. Furthermore, the first outlet of the filter module preferably comprises an outlet valve. The ratio of the first volume flow of only ultrasound-cleaned liquid (through the first outlet) to the second volume flow of additionally filtered liquid (through the second outlet) can preferably be adjusted steplessly via the outlet valve.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the housing has the shape of a hollow cylinder closed at its ends. In particular, the housing may have the shape of a tube which is closed at its two ends with lids (releasably).

The filter may also be in the form of a hollow cylinder. In particular, the filter can be arranged coaxially with the tubular housing, for example, in the housing. Assuming a straight circular cylinder for both housing and filter, so form filter and housing in cross-section two concentric rings, of which the inner ring is formed by the filter.

On the other hand, the ultrasound source is preferably not arranged coaxially with the housing in the housing. Assuming a rod-shaped ultrasonic source and a housing in the form of a straight circular cylinder, so do not form ultrasonic source and housing in cross-section concentric rings. The elongated ultrasound source is rather offset from the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing in the housing. In cross section, the ultrasonic source is arranged eccentrically in the housing to the housing. This eccentric arrangement ensures that there are no trauma rooms for ultrasound.

Particularly preferably, the filter comprises a membrane. This can be formed, for example, of stainless steel. Alternatively, any other material may be used, provided that the membrane formed therefrom stops the ultrasonic application inside the housing.

In particular, the filter (in the form of the membrane) may comprise pores of less than 1000 microns, preferably less than 100 microns, and most preferably less than 50 microns. In particular, a pore size of down to 0.1 microns can be provided for microfiltration.

In particular, for use in marine or ballast water treatment, the filter module may be adapted to filter salty water. However, a filter module according to the invention can also be used in the pharmaceutical or food sector (for example for the purification of beverages, for example from milk, wine or fruit juices).

A method according to the invention for cleaning liquids comprises the following steps: First, the liquid to be cleaned is subjected to ultrasound in a first step. The liquid thus treated is then divided into a first and a second volumetric flow, the first volumetric flow being diverted from the sonicated liquid and only the second remaining volumetric flow of the liquid following sonication in a filter, for example the membrane described above , filtered.

In particular, besides ultrasonication of the liquid to be cleaned, the method may include subjecting the filter to the unfiltered liquid contacting side of the filter, thereby reducing clogging of the filter. This ensures high performance.

Subsequently, the first and / or the second volume flow of the radiation can be exposed to a UV light source. By the method according to the invention, a flexible cleaning of a liquid can be achieved.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the following more detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings and the claims.

1 shows a filter module according to the invention in longitudinal section;

2 shows a filter module according to the invention in cross section;

3 shows a backwashable filter module according to the invention.

1 schematically shows an embodiment of the filter module for the purification of liquids.

The filter module 100 has a housing 10 in the form of a hollow circular cylinder and is formed of a stainless steel tube which is closed at both ends. At the top of the case 10 there is an inlet 12 for liquid to be cleaned and at the lower end there is a first outlet 14 for the liquid. On the pipe jacket of the filter module 10 is also near the top of a second outlet 16 intended.

Inside the filter module 10 there is a stainless steel membrane 18 with pores of about 30 μm diameter, the stainless steel membrane 18 also has the shape of a hollow circular cylinder, which in the stainless steel tube of the filter module 10 is arranged substantially coaxially, wherein the diameter of the stainless steel membrane is smaller than the diameter of the filter module 10 is.

The inlet 12 is approximately in the middle of the upper end (ie, the round lid) of the housing 10 forming pipe arranged. The inlet has a larger cross-section than the outlet 14 which is offset from the center of the lower end (ie, the round bottom) of the tube. The outlet 14 so leads out of the case 10 out that he is for inflowing liquid in front of the filter 18 lies.

Thus, over the inlet 12 into the interior of the filter module 100 incoming liquid via the first outlet 14 from the filter module 100 run out without the cylindrical filter membrane 18 to enforce. In this sense, the first outlet 14 for inflowing liquid thus in front of the filter membrane 18 arranged. In contrast, in the filter module 100 over the inlet 12 inflowing liquid only via the second outlet 16 from the filter module 100 when they pass through the filter membrane 18 has entered. In this sense lies the second outlet 16 behind the filter membrane 18 ,

The filter module 100 is further provided with a substantially rod-shaped ultrasonic source 20 provided non-coaxial in the hollow cylindrical housing 10 of the filter module 100 and slightly offset parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 10 (ie eccentric in cross-section, cf. 2 ) and from the filter membrane 18 is surrounded. The ultrasonic source ensures dispersion by cavitation of the inflowing liquid and cleaning of the filter module 10 , especially the filter membrane 18 , In the in 1 shown representation is thus the ultrasound source 20 inside the hollow cylindrical filter 18 arranged, and the filter 18 in turn is inside the case 10 arranged.

For controlling the liquid flow through the filter module has the filter module 100 at the inlet 12 a valve 22 and at the first outlet 14 a valve 24 on.

2 shows a cross section through the housing 10 of in 1 illustrated filter module 100 , Inside the case, which is round in cross-section 10 is the round stainless steel membrane 18 arranged concentrically. The ultrasound source 20 is offset from the center of the housing cross-section, that is arranged eccentrically thereto (in 2 exaggerated; In principle, even a slight eccentricity to avoid dead spaces and thus an effective, reliable cavitation is sufficient). At the bottom of the case 10 is also the round outlet 14 shown.

Shown are each round cross sections. The housing 10 , the filter 18 , the ultrasound source 20 or the inlet 12 / the outlets 14 . 16 However, in cross-section, they can also have any other shape, in particular an elliptical, rectangular or any other basic geometric shape.

In 3 is in the left half an inventive filter module 100 shown which to a second filter module 100 according to the present invention (shown in the right half of 3 ) is coupled. However, the second filter module need not be a filter module according to the invention, but may be any filter module, provided that it has an outlet 16 over which it has filtered liquid for backwashing the left filter module 100 can provide.

For backwashing the left filter module 100 is its inlet valve 22 closed and its outlet valve 24 open, whereas the inlet valve 22 the right filter module 100 opened and the outlet valve of the right filter module 100 preferably at least partially closed. Thus, filtered liquid passes from the second outlet 16 the right filter module 100 over the second outlet 16 of the left, backwash filter module 100 into the interior of the housing of the left filter module 100 , When "reverse" enforcing the filter membrane 18 contrary to the usual Filtrierrichtung the filter membrane 18 freed from deposits and cleaned.

The backwashed liquid is then passed over the opened valve 24 the outlet 14 delivered and can be a further treatment, for example, for disinfection with UV light, fed (not shown).

Other embodiments are conceivable. In particular, the arrangement of the first and second outlet can be exchanged and the filter 18 with a relatively small diameter compared to that of the housing 10 be provided.

Will the inlet 12 (unlike in the presentation of the 1 ) arranged so that liquid does not flow into the interior of the filter, but around the filter 18 During filtration, the liquid passes into the interior of the filter, with the channel-like interior transferring the filtered liquid to the second outlet 16 at the bottom of the case 10 leads (the second outlet is therefore where in 1 the first outlet 14 is, and vice versa).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

filter module

10

casing

12

inlet

14

First outlet

16

Second outlet

18

Filter, membrane

20

ultrasound source

22

intake valve

24

outlet valve

Claims (20)

Filter module coupling with two filter modules for cleaning liquids, wherein a first filter module comprises: a housing ( 10 ); an ultrasound source ( 20 ); an inlet ( 12 ) for liquid on the housing ( 10 ); a first outlet ( 14 ) for liquid on the housing ( 10 ); a filter ( 18 ); and a second outlet ( 16 ) for filtered liquid on the housing ( 10 ); the ultrasound source ( 20 ) on a first side of the filter ( 18 ) is arranged such that this first side of the filter ( 18 ) is applied with ultrasound; the first outlet ( 14 ) on the first page of the filter ( 18 ) is arranged; and wherein the second outlet ( 16 ) for filtered liquid on a second side of the filter ( 18 ) is arranged; and a second filter module having an outlet for providing filtered liquid; wherein the first filter module ( 100 ) is coupled to the second filter module such that filtered liquid from the outlet of the second filter module for backwashing the first filter module ( 100 ) into the housing of the first filter module via the second outlet of the first filter module and can be discharged via the first outlet. Filter module coupling according to claim 1, wherein the housing ( 10 ) has an elongated shape. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) the ultrasound source ( 20 ) surrounds. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet ( 12 ) of the filter module ( 100 ) an inlet valve ( 22 ). Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first outlet ( 14 ) of the filter module ( 100 ) an exhaust valve ( 24 ). Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing ( 10 ) has the shape of a hollow cylinder closed at its ends. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) has the shape of a hollow cylinder. Filter module coupling according to claim 7, wherein the filter ( 18 ) substantially coaxial with the housing in the housing ( 10 ) is arranged. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ultrasound source ( 20 ) non-coaxial with the housing ( 10 ) in the housing ( 10 ) is arranged. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated ultrasonic source ( 20 ) offset to the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing ( 10 ) in the housing ( 10 ) is arranged. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated ultrasonic source ( 20 ) offset parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated housing ( 10 ) in the housing ( 10 ) is arranged. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) of each filter module ( 100 ) comprises a membrane. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) Comprises pores of less than 1000 microns. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) Comprises pores of less than 100 microns. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) Comprises pores of less than 50 microns. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 18 ) Includes pores of down to 0.1 microns. Filter module coupling according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first filter module is adapted to filter saline water. Use of a filter module coupling ( 100 ) according to any one of the preceding claims for treating ballast water. Method for cleaning liquids, comprising the following steps - ultrasonically applying the liquid to be cleaned; - Branching a first volume flow of the sonicated liquid; and - filtering the second, remaining volume flow of the liquid by means of a filter ( 18 ), wherein, in addition to the application of the liquid to be cleaned with ultrasound, which comes into contact with the unfiltered liquid side of the filter ( 18 ) is subjected to ultrasound in such a way that clogging of the filter ( 18 ) is reduced. A method of purifying liquids according to claim 19, further comprising the step of exposing the first and / or second volumetric flow to a UV light source.

Images